Isoflavone supplements show no effect on menopause symptoms

Related tags Menopause

Supplements containing a soy compound were no better than a placebo
at relieving the symptoms of menopause, according to a Finnish
study published in this month's Obstetrics and Gynecology
journal.

Supplements containing a soy compound were no better than a placebo at relieving the symptoms of menopause, according to a Finnish study published in this month's Obstetrics and Gynecology​ journal.

While phytoestrogens, such as soy isoflavones, are thought to have a positive effect on menopause symptoms because they have chemical resemblances to the human hormone oestrogen, there has been much conflicting evidence for foods and supplements containing the plant chemicals.

Researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital enlisted 56 breast cancer survivors, who are usually told to avoid hormone replacement therapy because it can raise the risk of the cancers' recurrence, to randomly receive either a pill with phytoestrogen (114mg of isoflavonoids) or a placebo for three months. After a two-month break, they switched to the other regimen.

The phytoestrogen pills raised the level of oestrogen-like compounds circulating in the blood and was well tolerated, but there was no difference in menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, report the researchers.

However there was a difference in acceptance of the pills. Of the 56 women who completed the study, 25 (44.6 per cent) preferred the phytoestrogen regimen, compared to 15 who preferred the placebo (26.8 per cent). The others reported no preference.

Lead researcher Dr Eini Nikander noted that some small studies had shown that foods rich in soy offered modest relief for mild symptoms of menopause but it remains to be proven if they are an effective alternative to HRT.

Related topics Research Suppliers Supplements

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